A Moberly Monitor-Index reader recently mentioned to us that “there haven’t been many trains coming through Madison lately. I haven’t been hearing them.”

After a phone call to the Madison Community Center to see it the local coffee drinkers had heard anything about local train traffic reduction, and MACB Secretary Carol Larson reported she hadn’t heard any talk about it, a call was made to Norfolk and Southern Railroad Director of Public Relations Robin Chapman.

Chapman made some calls, and, sure enough, trains have been rerouted around Madison. Chapman said that this was due to “flooding.”

The line that runs from Decatur to Moberly is experiencing some flooding due to the recent weather collection within the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Chapman stated: “Trains are currently being rerouted south to St. Louis, and back to Moberly.” This means the normal routes are missing the Madison area entirely.

How long the flooding will last is anyone’s guess. More rain is expected locally beginning Thursday evening, and lasting several days.